Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-08-26
HER LIFE NOT IN VAIN.


Dreary and chilly; dying year; and yet
the windows Of Mrs. Oxgate's old brown
farm house hung out their CHEEKY signals
behind the fringed cotton curtains. and
when the kitchen door opened you could
see the blazing logs. the figures coming
and going like miniature magic lantern.
It was Dora Oxgate who opened 1t and
came fitting out to the we'll with scarlet
shawl over her head and an empty cedar
pail in her hand. AS her light feet pat
tered over the carpet Of Autumn leaves in
the pathway she sang snatch OF some
good old fashioned hymn.
''Mv goodness alive! What's that?"
For, as the words thrilled from her
tangue tall, dark figure had risen from
the low wooden bench under the apple-tree
whose boughs overhung the we'll.
Don't be alarmed said deep, sweet
contralto, with scornful information in its
sound. "Its only me, Dora"
Joanna Elield?"
eyes, Joanna Elfeld. What then?
Have fallen so low that I am no longer
worthy to sit beneath the old appletree?
If so, tell me so at once, and I'll quit"
"You know didn't mean that. Joanna"
cts hard to tell wnat people mean or
don't mean nowadays" said Joanna, pick
ing at the fringe of her frayed rag of a
shawl. Il was tired. wanted drink
of water. So came to the old we'll"
Joanna" said Dora, hesitatingly, "are
you hungry"
Hungry No. There's sort of crav-
ing, though, on my stomach which is next
to it, | suppose"
Would you like something to eat2"
II don't beg"
"Wait minute, Joanna"
Like an arrow Dora Oxgate sped back
to the house, where her mother was just
setting the teapot on the table. Fresh
baked waffles steamed on one side; hot
biscuit was piled in drifts of snow on the
other. For Mrs. Deacon Peabody and her
daughter Comfort were come to tea, and
Mrs. Cxgatc was housekeeper to be ex-
celled by none.
! Come, Dora, quick with that water"
said Mrs. Oxgate, ''and shut the door"
Mother" said Dora, speaking in q
slightly embarrassed tone, Joanna Elfield
is out by the well. She is cold and hungry
and"
Mrs. Oxgatcs face hardened into lines OF
stone. Miss Comfort Peabody drew her
skirts close around her with an invOlun-
tary movement, and Mrs Peabody looked
hard into the bowl of her teacup.
Then let her stay cold and hungry.
Joanna Elfield is no associate for either
you or me, Dora. She ran away from
home and acted with common Strolling
play actorS-she has sung at low concerts
instead Of keeping that fine voice of hers
for the temple of the Lord, and people do
say that she has taken to drinking. And
you expect me to open my doors to such as
herr
"But, mamma" faltered Dora, half
Gffrighted by her own boldness, don't you
remember that He came to call, not the
righteous, but sinners, to repentance"
''tiow do you dare quote the Scriptures
to moY cried Mrs. Oxgate, her brow
clouding darkly. Bring in that pail of
water at once, and let us have no more
discussion"
Thus rcbuffed, Theodore Oxgate crept
back again into the frosty twilight, defect
ed and empty handed.
- Il" said Joanna Elfcld, Il thought
how it would be. Everybody's doors are
shut against me-"
''Is it true, Joanna?" whispered Dora,
coming close up to her.
SIS what true?"
"That you drinks?
''Of course it's true You would drink.
II you were driven as l am! There are
times when you could sell your soul for
chance to fOrgetl And that chance is only
to be found in-drinkI'
"Oh, Joanna, | am so sorry for you"
"Sorryl Say that again. lass! People
have mostly left off being sorry for me-
But listen, Joanna. Won't you try to
do ditferent?"
Il am not so bad as folks think me cx-
cept for the craving for drink. | have
been nothing worse than wild and wilful.
Only when girl once gets on the down
hill every man or women thinks it duty
20 give her pushr'
self" 1' 0'1
How can II What is there left for
ne?"
Your superb voice. JOANNA
"You would have me sing myself into
responsibility, ell? And in the meantime l
should Starve."
You need not Starvc, Joanna. Herer
Quick as lightning she drew small gold
chain, with gold locket shaped like
heart, dangling at its end. from her neck.
Dear Joanna, take this. 1t is worth
money. Sell it and use the money for
your needs"
Are you in earnest, Dora?"
"Of course am. Hush! mother is call.
Ing me, must 60"
God bless you for this" said Joanna.
huskily. And, Dora-one word more:
let me kiss you just once
BY way of answer Theodore Oxgate
threw her arms around the tall girls neck
anu pressed her soft red lips close to the
others cold mouth, And as she did SO
something splashed on her cheek-a hot
tear.
The next minute Joanna Elfield had dis
appeared into the world of shadows that
were lowering all over the Autumn land
seapc. And Us she went she murmured to
herself
Some one believes in me yeti It's a
strange sensation. and yet-it gives me
something TO live for. after ALP
Dora! Theodore! Why don't YOU ans
wer? But no one thinks il worth while 10
pay any attention To NE nowaLavsp
IL was Mrs. OXGateS Shrin MINING